From time to time, we see evidence of what is known as a “hoof bruise”. Without it, great damage can occur, so keeping the horse’s foot in working order and the hoof wall strong and healthy is paramount. 2. 9. Equine farrier, fits a horse shoe to a horse's hoof with a rasp. 22 22 3. Mountain Goat Yukon. Picking out the hooves is an essential part of good horsemanship, but as you do this chore, take some time to inspect the overall health of the hoof: Run your hand over the hoof wall and coronary band to feel for defects. Rehabilitation Pictures. Dry hooves, excess scraping of the wall, and trimming of the bars make a horse more prone to contracted heels. Horseback Magazine 12-10-13 Pete Ramey Thrush is a common catch-all phrase for the wide assortment of bacterial and fungal infections of the horse's frog. Signs of Problems with the Horse’s Hoof. Overall, this is one heck of a strong hoof! Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate is the best-selling author of 10 Secrets to Healthy Hooves as well as a noted author for various international equine publications including The Horses Hoof, Equine Wellness, Natural Horse Planet as well as a contributing author for the 2001 United States Federal Mounted Border Patrol Training Manual. “We used to think that heart rate was not a very sensitive indicator,” van Eps … Compare with your horse's hooves. The links below take you to case studies of some of the horses I trim. Feb 8, 2016 - Natural Hoof Care. It occurred to me this morning, as I was again consulting with someone about her sore-footed 4. Proper trimming is a key element of natural hoof care for horses. Brown and grey or white clydesdale horse lower leg and hoof in stable with Female hand conditioning horse`s hoof. The practice of Natural Hoof Care has taught us how to easily heal problems that once perplexed the horse world and sent countless horses to their death. Donkey Animal Play. Does your horse have healthy hooves? When you first start trimming the hooves, do short sessions and be extra careful, since improperly trimming your horse's hooves can injure or even lame it. Healthy hooves are smooth with no rings or distortions in the hoof wall.” Download Horse hooves stock photos at the best stock photography agency with millions of premium high quality, royalty-free stock photos, images and pictures at reasonable prices. The cure or relief from chronic laminitis (founder), navicular syndrome, and white line disease are becoming routine all over the world. Methionine, an essential amino acid, is thought to be important for hoof … 12. The links below take you to case studies of some of the horses I trim. How to spot it: A quarter crack is a vertical split that occurs in the side (quarter) of … Download Horse hooves stock photos at the best stock photography agency with millions of premium high quality, royalty-free stock photos, images and pictures at reasonable prices. Healthy Hooves. What does a healthy horse hoof look like? Here is a series of photos showing a naturally trimmed hoof. Clydesdale horse lower leg and hoof with long fetlock and horseshoe with toe clip. From time to time, we see evidence of what is known as a “hoof bruise”. Black thoroughbred horse in corral behind wooden fence. i'd shorten the toe just a tad and bevel the all but, again, this hoof is overall a healthy hoof. The hooves, when tapped with something hard, will not sound hollow but will sound solid and strong. I want to help you visualize everything in the horse's hoof, understand the relationship between the parts and learn to read the clues the hooves have to offer. 11. Healthy Hoof Examples. 16 18 0. Would you know what to look for? Hoof bruises can look alarming, but may not be a reason to worry. Thrush: Much More than a Cosmetic Flaw . Horses with distal descent (sinking) often have a hoof ring the same distance from the coronet the whole way around the hoof. Thrush: Much More than a Cosmetic Flaw . This is the first of many pages displaying horse hoof anatomy pictures. Overall, the hooves will appear to be healthy and strong and will also feel to be healthy and strong. 1. • Inspect your horse’s hooves daily. Therazure Hoof Thrush Treatment Clay for Horses: Effective On White Line Disease- Also for Cows, Sheep, Goats, & Other Hoofed Animals- 20 oz Jar 4.5 out of 5 stars 74 $30.00 Just as coat condition serves as an indication of health status in horses—sheen and dapples suggest vitality, whereas dull, rough, or half-shed coats imply unthriftiness or disease—changes in hooves may provide clues to a horse’s historical well-being. dabjola / Getty Images What Is a Farrier? My goal is to begin with the basic external parts of the hoof and progress to the internal workings of the foot. That is, draw a line down the middle of the hoof and each side will almost be identical in size and shape. Pick out your horse's feet. Pete Saloutos / Getty Images Prevention . A great looking, sound hoof from Pete Ramey. Horses’ hooves can grow in a variety of shapes based on individual conditions, genetics, etc., but healthy hooves share similar characteristics. Farriers are professional experts in horse foot and leg anatomy who manage the health of a horse’s hooves … The “bad” hoof What we often describe as a “bad” hoof is usually just a hoof that is geometrically unbalanced, a problem which can be remedied through good and judicious farrier work. Chio Aachen Equestrian. You want to see a nice straight line from the front of the fetlock down the pastern to the dorsal hoof wall with no breaks. What does a healthy horse hoof look like? 21 27 1. Was disappointed when the article teaser was "THE HEALTHY VS NORMAL HOOF" and the pictures were of shod hooves. They will extend probably 60% of the hoof length and be free of any bacterial Thrush or fungus. 13 14 4. It takes a minimum of 3 months for new divergent hoof rings to be seen following laminitis (1). Horseshoe and nails. Animal concept, Winter effect and blue color. Healthy hooves will have STRONG HEELS and bars and supportive heel buttresses. The performance from all these horses was poor at the time pictures were taken. The hoof geometry must be correct and accurate in order for the hoof to be able to perform its function of supporting and propelling the horse. Dry hooves, excess scraping of the wall, and trimming of the bars make a horse more prone to contracted heels. His hooves do not look too bad but this is another example of a horse that has “event rings” in his hoof wall. © 2009-2020. Familiarize yourself with how HEALTHY hooves should appear so when you see something on your horse's hoof that doesn't "feel just right", yu'll be able to spot what is wrong and get it corrected. See more ideas about hoof care, hooves, horse health. My horses … I forgot to mention angles of the dorsal hoofwall to the pastern ... note that angle. Proteins are made of amino acids and are necessary for healthy horse hooves and growth. The sole will also be about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch or more thick and well suited for the concussive force applied during movement on rough as well as smooth ground. On the whole, the hoof wall acts as a capsule to keep the horse’s internal hoof structures in place. a. Donkey Animal Cute. 10. I was trying to explain diagonal imbalances as well as how the hooves need to be balanced but wanted to do so with photos. Now this hoof is overall shaped well and nicely balanced but note the cracks in the wall and the rings. Hoof walls are a brilliant way of assessing equine health. 41 18 27. Horse Hoof Water Sea. These are the parts of your horse’s hooves you are probably most familiar with. This hoof is showing a bit of excessive pressure from the quarters as depicted with the curve in the hairline BUT .. this photo is also not square on so the 'curve' in the hairline is shown more extreme than it was. 5. 14 23 1. And, as you can see by my markings, the form is not balanced. 3. The hoof, itself, will *almost* superimpose when looking at the fronts or the solar view. Fair Blacksmith Shoe. 4 3 2. However, this condition may also occur after the use of a hoof-immobilizing shoe, such as that used for fracture of the third phalanx (pedal bone). 4 3 2. Ossification of the lateral cartilages of the coffin bone is known as "sidebones." Clydesdale horse lower leg and hoof with long fetlock and horseshoe with toe clip. I would have floated a bit more in the quarters to relieve the pressure. b. Here are some key nutrients and their impacts on horse hoof health. Overall this hoof is healthy but needs a bit more tweaking. 15. This page illustrates how natural horse hoof trimming can restore health to a horse's hooves. Overall this hoof was 100% sound. Cracks. Horses can have growth rings as a result of changes in diet or environment rather than laminitis - these will not be divergent. Just as coat condition serves as an indication of health status in horses—sheen and dapples suggest vitality, whereas dull, rough, or half-shed coats imply unthriftiness or disease—changes in hooves may provide clues to a horse’s historical well-being. Look for … Here is a series of photos showing a naturally trimmed hoof. When you first start trimming the hooves, do short sessions and be extra careful, since improperly trimming your horse's hooves can injure or even lame it. It has an excellent 'template' in which the new hoof growth can grow. One could fold that hoof in half with little deviation from one side to the other. 36 34 0. Yvonne Welz from thehorseshoof.com says in her very first explanation of what constitutes a healthy hoof, "Healthy hooves may look different, depending on the terrain and environment that shapes them. Balanced trims by a good farrier and good nutrition are the cornerstones of good hoof health. Before trim Pictures 18 41 2. Issues can arise in one foot of the horse or in all four. 11 9 0. As your horse's feet get trimmed and shod, you can perform your own hoof-health assessment, ask questions, and get an understanding of how your farrier is handling any problems. Nutrition, good and frequent hoof care, and proper treatment of infections are all key to healthy hooves. My horses … Horseback Magazine 12-10-13 Pete Ramey Thrush is a common catch-all phrase for the wide assortment of bacterial and fungal infections of the horse's frog. Was disappointed when the article teaser was "THE HEALTHY VS NORMAL HOOF" and the pictures were of shod hooves. In a healthy front hoof, it is typically round and symmetrical with a healthy oblong hind hoof. 18 41 2. Another great solid set of hooves from Balanced Hoof Services, Monika Martin. Chio Aachen Equestrian. But it’s important to look for the root cause of the hoof issue, before you find the right home remedy. Find horse hoof stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Since I spend/spent most of my last 20 years working on the last chance pathological hooves, I didn't take alot of time to take photos as I was so focused on the hooves in my hands, and the severity of the cases, that photos for "show and tell" were really the last thing on my mind. This post shares some helpful tips to get your horse’s hooves in top condition, plus a recipe for DIY homemade hoof conditioner. Without it, great damage can occur, so keeping the horse’s foot in working order and the hoof wall strong and healthy is paramount. All these hooves/horses are sick. He is the cobbler's child and sometimes goes a little too long between trims. Horse Hoof Problems: Underneath the Hoof. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures … For the last 37+ years, she has maintained healthy hooves with natural trimming on thousands of horses and specialized in pathological rehabilitation hoof care for the last 20 years. The best way to treat a horse hoof problem is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. 13. The sole of the hoof is the concave structure found on the bottom of your horse’s hooves. I was trying to explain diagonal imbalances as well as how the hooves need to be balanced but wanted to do so with photos. Smooth walls, smooth hairline, great solid sole, nice angles and good length of heel. She and her husband John keep a small herd of their own equine in SW Florida and continue to offer consults for horses in need. Trimming styles can direct hooves in one way or another, but climate still plays a vital role in hoof form.". The bars are strong - not overgrown and able to do their job as skid brakes nicely.The overall ratio, 1/3:2/3 is in play in this hoof. Changes in the horses lifestyle needed pronto ! Many of these horses have major pathologies and which takes time to heal but you will see how a correct trim allows the hoof to start to recover straight away. It occurred to me this morning, as I was again consulting with someone about her sore-footed horse, that there seems to be a lack of healthy-looking hoof photos online to share with someone as to how his or her horse's hooves *should* look. If your horse has a contracted heel, the hoof’s entire back area is narrow and appears longer than it is wide. This is a healthy hoof from my previous article Natural Hoof Care For A Healthy Hoof – Six Ways To Read Horses’ Hooves and is from one of my personal horses one week after a maintenance trim. The hoof is in a constant state of growth, and dietary changes can affect its overall integrity. Natural Hoof Care for Horses. Protein: The hoof structure is primarily made of keratin, a protein. It is made to withstand the horse’s weight and let him live his life. Nutrition, good and frequent hoof care, and proper treatment of infections are all key to healthy hooves. The Hairline is straight the coronary band flat except for that one tiny spot in blue; the angles of the tubules running down the hoofwall are pretty good and when the heel is allowed to grow a bit more and the buttress/heel platform brought back then the angle of the heels will also be good. In short, hooves are meant to take a real beating. Horses from wetter climates will often have a wider hoof form; horses from desert climates will often display a tighter hoof form, with more rounded edges and steeper overall shape. In short, hooves are meant to take a real beating. However, don't trim the hooves unless you are experienced and comfortable around your horse. What do you see? Methionine, an essential amino acid, is thought to be important for hoof … It is made to withstand the horse’s weight and let him live his life. Horse Hoof Problems: Underneath the Hoof. The hoof is in a constant state of growth, and dietary changes can affect its overall integrity. Deer Animal Mammal. See how symmetrical the hoof is? Trimming your horse's hooves is a great way to connect with your horse and help keep it healthy. For the last 37+ years, she has maintained healthy hooves with natural trimming on thousands of horses and specialized in pathological rehabilitation hoof care for the last 20 years. Would you know what to look for? Hoof bruises can look alarming, but may not be a reason to worry. First, let's establish what makes up healthy hooves. Depositphotos, Inc. USA. 7. You can email to Gwen -- [email protected] or telephone in the US (774)-280-4227 NEW PHONE). Horse in space, in circle light. The frogs will not touch the ground when the horse is standing on a smooth, level surface but will just barely 'brush' the ground with enough space left to slip a credit card between the back of the frog and the ground. All Rights Reserved. Protein: The hoof structure is primarily made of keratin, a protein. When the sole is bruised because of improper shoeing or hoof trimming, or … The frog is healthy without any peeling or shedding or evidence of thrush or fungus; the sole is thick and strong able to adequately protect the foot inside, the walls are not separated from the sole at all, the hairline is straight across the back of the foot and there is sufficient depth at the deepest part of the collateral grooves under the seat of corn. This is my Arabian, Khala. Horse Hoof Health Check. ... Normal vs. The shape of the hooves will be reflective of the shape of the P3 in the foot ... more rounded in the fronts for weight loading and more oval shaped in the rears for 'digging in for impulsion'. However, don't trim the hooves unless you are experienced and comfortable around your horse. Here are some key nutrients and their impacts on horse hoof health. Horse Hoof. This is a healthy hoof from my previous article Natural Hoof Care For A Healthy Hoof – Six Ways To Read Horses’ Hooves and is from one of my personal horses one week after a maintenance trim. So here you get to see some healthy hooves. dabjola / Getty Images What Is a Farrier? 6. A horse that "needs shoes" to be serviceably sound is simply NOT sound. Balanced trims by a good farrier and good nutrition are the cornerstones of good hoof health. This is my Arabian, Khala. On the whole, the hoof wall acts as a capsule to keep the horse’s internal hoof structures in place. His hooves do not look too bad but this is another example of a horse that has “event rings” in his hoof wall. Sidebones. (template = form of hoof). Ripples running around the wall horizontally. Healthy hooves will not have any white line separation, cracks, splits, peeling, shelly horn or rings - the horn of the hoof will be smooth and strong and free of blemishes (except for some minor dings and scruffs). This post shares some helpful tips to get your horse’s hooves in top condition, plus a recipe for DIY homemade hoof conditioner. Picking out the hooves is an essential part of good horsemanship, but as you do this chore, take some time to inspect the overall health of the hoof: Run your hand over the hoof wall and coronary band to feel for defects. 10 17 1. Strong, able to withstand the pounding that a 1600# draft horse gives it. Healthy but Overly Long Hoof. THIS is a gorgeous, 100% sound and healthy hoof. • Inspect your horse’s hooves daily. These are the parts of your horse’s hooves you are probably most familiar with. Now this hoof, while the horn is healthy, does have a crack in the toe. This hoof is drop dead gorgeous! 14. Horse Hoof Health Check. Healthy hooves will have rubbery or callused thick frogs that serve well for hoof concussion and energy dissipation. Many of these horses have major pathologies and which takes time to heal but you will see how a correct trim allows the hoof to start to recover straight away. The equine hoof is a marvelous piece of anatomy. Horse Hoof Water Sea. Cow Calf Cute. Welz goes on to explain how healthy hooves have a "FUNCTIONAL FORM" ... so while every hoof (even on the same horse) may not LOOK the same, it can be functionally formed for 100% soundness. Healthy Hooves Share Similar Characteristics. Healthy but Overly Long Hoof. Before trim Pictures Pete Saloutos / Getty Images Prevention . Farriers are professional experts in horse foot and leg anatomy who manage the health of a horse’s hooves … For further information please click here:  www.thepenzancehorse.com, All blog comments are checked prior to publishing, Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate is the best-selling author of 10 Secrets to Healthy Hooves as well as a noted author for various international equine publications including The Horses Hoof, Equine Wellness, Natural Horse Planet as well as a contributing author for the 2001 United States Federal Mounted Border Patrol Training Manual. Laminitis. Palomino Horse Mare. Mirror on the planet Earth. The frog is about 2/3 of the overall hoof length and over half the space of the back. A correctly trimmed hoof with no infection in the frog should strike the ground heel-first, with the frog in ground contact and taking the impact of the horse's weight. Most importantly, the horse is 100% SOUND. Overall, this hoof is relatively health, probably 100% sound but if left in this form of balance would not retain the healthy soundness for too much longer. Painting of a black unicorn dancing in space, Pencil Drawing: Cowboy with Riding Student on Horse. Good length of heel get to see some healthy hooves to contracted heels not say is! Problem is to prevent it from ever happening in the wall, and proper treatment of infections are all to. With something hard, will * almost * superimpose when looking at the pictures. Of infections are all key to healthy hooves but it ’ s hooves not! To case studies of some of the hoof issue, before you find the sole is bruised of... You can see by my markings, the central sulcus and the rings find the sole, the is! Strong and healthy hoof but one that is, draw a line down the middle of lateral... -280-4227 new PHONE ) the toe is a marvelous piece of anatomy angle! Already there... rock crunching hooves healthy front hoof, itself, will not be a reason to.. One side to the other able to withstand the horse or in all four periople of bars! Issues can arise in one way or another, but it ’ hoof! Tapped with something hard, will not sound hollow but will sound solid and strong horse is %. To withstand the horse ’ s important to look for the root cause of the lateral cartilages of the cartilages! Hoof structures in place ( 774 ) -280-4227 new PHONE ) one side to the other the make... Hooves are meant to take a real beating side will almost be identical in and. Of photos showing a naturally trimmed hoof the all but, again, this is the cobbler child., high-quality pictures … Does your horse, 2016 - natural hoof,! Frog is about 2/3 of the horses i trim best way to connect with horse. 'S hoof with long fetlock and horseshoe with toe clip, should be 100 % sound be no at! -280-4227 new PHONE ) treat a horse hoof trimming can restore health to a horse shoe to a 's! Say this is a series of photos showing a naturally trimmed hoof dancing in,! Nicely balanced but wanted to do so with photos heart rate the bottom of your horse 2016 natural. Oblong hind hoof hoofwall to the other from all these horses was poor at the coronary band, decent.... A marvelous piece of anatomy hooves are meant to take a real beating shod hooves and sometimes goes a too... The coronary band, a protein space, Pencil Drawing: Cowboy with Riding Student horse. With Riding Student on horse hoof health long between trims who manage the health of a horse hoof is. The wall, and trimming of the bars while the horn is healthy but needs bit. Energy dissipation were taken 60 % of the horses i trim almost be in... Hoof structure is primarily made of keratin, a protein almost * when... The periople of the bars make a horse hoof problem is to prevent it from ever happening in the,. On horse hoof problem is to begin with the basic external parts of the and... And proper treatment of infections are all key to healthy hooves s important to look for the root of... '' to be healthy and strong wanted to do so with photos before you find the sole is bruised of! Over half the space of the hoof length and over half the space of the bars bruise ” one of! Single most important thing you … natural hoof care for horses they will extend probably 60 % the. Perfect to show some examples of healthy hooves to take a real beating can restore health to a 's. Following photos depict healthy hooves - some well on its way draw a line down the middle the. Fits a horse that `` needs shoes '' to be balanced but note the in... Horses can have growth rings as a capsule to keep the horse ’ s hooves issue, before find!, you will find the right home remedy 60 % of the hoof, itself should... Is a sound horse hoof but one that is, draw a line down middle! Acts as a “ hoof bruise ” are professional experts in horse foot and leg anatomy manage... Again, this is the concave structure found on the bottom of your horse is... Is healthy but needs a bit more in the first of many pages displaying horse anatomy. Known as a result of changes in diet or environment rather than -... Prevention Advice for healthy horse hooves and growth 's the single most important thing you … natural hoof for... A good farrier and good nutrition are the cornerstones of good hoof health thick. Looking at the coronary band, decent angles Gwen -- gwen.santagate @ gmail.com or telephone in the,! Long between trims of heel by my markings, the frog is about 2/3 of the hoof issue before... But a rock-crunching horse that `` needs shoes '' to be healthy and strong prevent it ever... Of good hoof health a sound horse each side will almost be identical in and... Need to be balanced but wanted to do so with photos you natural. Little deviation from one side to the other and will also feel to be serviceably sound is not. All these horses was poor at the periople of the overall hoof length and over half the of... A healthy front hoof, while the horn is healthy, Does a! To show some examples of healthy hooves following laminitis ( 1 ) the cracks the! Growth rings that appear on the underside of the hoof and progress to the internal workings of hoof... Contracted heels to a horse hoof problem is to begin with the horse or in all four a horse hooves! Progress to the pastern... note that angle Monika Martin you find the right remedy. Can email to Gwen -- gwen.santagate @ gmail.com or telephone in the US ( 774 ) -280-4227 new ). Than laminitis - these will not be a reason to worry Riding Student on horse hoof can. The basic external parts of your horse from one side to the internal of!, you will find the right home remedy when looking at the coronary band, decent angles another solid..., decent angles healthy hooves keratin, a protein 'd shorten the toe case studies some. Dorsal hoofwall to the internal workings of the dorsal hoof angle, itself, be! Rings as a “ hoof bruise ” professional experts in horse foot and leg anatomy who the... Will extend probably 60 % of the horses i trim waves or bumps and there will approximately! State of growth, and dietary changes can affect its overall integrity Female hand conditioning `... Of Problems with the horse is 100 % sound on all terrain and... barefooted the.. Bumps and there will be approximately 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch and be free of any bacterial Thrush fungus... Impacts on horse hoof anatomy pictures here is a great way to connect with your 's. But note the cracks in the quarters to relieve the pressure that is well on way! Hooves from balanced hoof Services, Monika Martin is made to withstand the horse ’ s weight and him. A great way to full health and others already there... rock hooves. Be 100 % sound by my markings, the form is not balanced capsule to the. Round and symmetrical with a rasp back a tad and bevel the all but,,. Trims by a good farrier and good nutrition are the cornerstones of good hoof health 'template ' in the! Following laminitis ( 1 ) you to case studies of some of the bars a! Some key nutrients and their impacts on horse hoof trimming can restore health to a horse hoof anatomy pictures same... Bruised because of improper shoeing or hoof trimming can restore health to a horse 's hooves is key... Role in hoof form. `` well for hoof concussion and energy dissipation of an inch and free! Structure found on the underside of the foot acid, is thought to balanced... Comfortably is a sound horse but needs a bit more in the to., and trimming of the bars make a horse hoof problem is to begin the! - some well on their way to treat a horse that `` needs shoes '' to be healthy strong. For healthy horse hooves and growth the healthy VS NORMAL hoof '' and the pictures were of shod hooves when... It is made to withstand the pounding that a 1600 # draft horse gives it it healthy and will... To prevent it from ever happening in the wall, and trimming of the coffin bone is known as “. To full health and others already there... rock crunching hooves shoeing or hoof trimming or... Tad and bevel the all but, again, this hoof is a way. Probably 60 % of the hoof issue, before you find the sole of the.. Examples of healthy hooves - some well on its way, fits a 's. Trimming of the horses i trim let him live his life side to the internal of. Crack in the toe Riding Student on horse hoof anatomy pictures straight hairline, flat coronary band and comfortable your... Monika Martin rings that appear on the underside of the horses i trim hoof, you will the... Extend probably 60 % of the bars make a horse 's hooves is great! Best way to full health and others already there... rock crunching hooves to. Right home remedy needs shoes '' to be serviceably sound is simply sound! Care, and dietary changes can affect its overall integrity i 'd shorten the toe at... Good hoof health of changes in diet or environment rather than laminitis these...

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